<p>percussiondad, I retired in 2008. After the market meltdown, my retirement only lasted about nine months, but before returning to work I went through a little of what you are facing as I tried to decide how to fill my time. I spent the entire morning at the gym, taking exercise classes, lifting weights, swimming, and socializing. I also starting cooking healthy meals from scratch. Those two activities provided the primary structure to each day. Then I took on a volunteer role with the Girl Scouts and went through lots of training programs and volunteer work for them. I never missed working. I suspect you will find your days fill up pretty quickly, but I know it’s scary at first.</p>
<p>sevmom, he won’t need a clearance for any other type of job in his field and will have no problem passing a typical background check. He had a background check for his internship last summer. I’m sure your son will be fine. It does take time.</p>
<p>Sorry that the job fell through. It would probably be fascinating to each of us to see if we could pass an intense background check (fun if a career wasn’t riding on it.)</p>
<p>TA – I hope your son isn’t feeling too bad by all that. Those background checks are very quirky. One thing I would suggest: have him pull his credit reports (the free credit check) and just verify that the information on there is accurate. (Not particularly with respect to this last offer, but to make sure there is nothing incorrect on there that might influence a different employer.)</p>
<p>arabrab, that’s a very good idea on checking his credit reports. We don’t have anything to do with his finances other than writing a check to him once a semester. He may in fact be a little casual about paying his bills. I seem to remember that his cable was cut off for a while because he hadn’t paid and he had an issue over Christmas where bills were due but he didn’t have his checkbook and thought it was no big deal if they waited until he was home. This one does have some growing up yet to do.</p>
<p>Thanks TA,oregon101 and FallGirl, . I am nervous about this clearance but hope for the best. That is good advice,arabrab, about credit. Even college kids need to be careful about their credit history.</p>
<p>FallGirl, Glad your visit to your sister and the college visits went well. Safe travels on the rest of your journey home.</p>
<p>oregon101, Glad the visit ended well.</p>
<p>percussiondad, Best wishes for your transition soon from full time employment. You sound like you’ve had a very successful career to be proud of and lots of skills and interests that will serve you well with this new chapter in your life.</p>
<p>D2, the one with the plans for grad school in chemistry, just got news that she has been awarded a Fulbright to Germany for next year. She’s on cloud 9. Now to figure out whether deferral of admission to grad school for a year is a possibility.</p>
<p>Yes, it’s for a research grant (she submitted a project on antibiotics, in the field of “chemical biology”). That application was due last October, so it’s been a long wait for the results, unlike grad school: she heard back from some in less than a month after the deadline.</p>
<p>So, I guess there’s a trip to Germany in our future …</p>
<p>Wonderful news Z!!! Goodness, she is making us all so proud! What an honor for her and such an opportunity. Thanks so much for sharing the great news with us.</p>
<p>Great Z!!
p-dad–wow 6 miles every night? are they flat? I steep hill walk 3.5 easily but 6 sounds like a huge amount. So it sounds like you are very fit! Sorry that you will not be able to finish your project. I would find that difficult and annoying. Like “why right now”.
Glad you have a wife and dog to walk with and hope you feel better tomorrow.</p>
<p>MP–booked the Tessa tonight --a bit of $ but felt like a good fit and trusted you :). So no pressure.</p>
<p>Z, what a fabulous opportunity for your D! Congrats!</p>
<p>TheAnalyst, hugs. I’m sending your S2 the light. It’s gotta be frustrating to be so close and then have this happen. But there is that whole “if its meant to be it will come to me” thing (which in my case usually refers to things like, you know, bee stings ;)</p>
<p>Today is mch’s birthday and we’re celebrating with a few friends watching another acquaintance’s roots band perform. I predict there will be a great merry tumble off of the diet wagon ;)</p>
<p>Mcson gets home tomorrow and I will be glad to see him and sus out how things are going. He made a public fb post lamenting about not being able to “break the barrier” on a composition he’s working on. At this point, it will be however it will be, but by god I’m anxious to conclude this whole graduation cliffhanger of a talented but challenged academic trajectory. Not that post-college life doesn’t hold it’s own share of navigational hurdles too, but somehow in my imagination I’ve deluded myself that I will worry less :)</p>
<p>I will say it here because I have to avoid saying it on other threads: when I hear students or parents desperate to get into his highly ranked program and school that is a reach for so many, I kind of think to myself sometimes that they should be careful what they’re asking for. I do believe that surrounding yourself with people who are in ways even more talented or accomplished is ultimately a good thing for one’s development, but its not without its challenges. In his case, his creative work was outstanding enough to render him among peers, but pulling it all together and keeping the balls in the air just seems to be a constant struggle. </p>
<p>The again, no pain, no gain, (as I like to remind myself on the evil airdyne!)</p>
<p>Zetesis, that is wonderful news. Congratulations! D did a short project in Germany and loved it there; she’s already researching language classes so she can become fluent and hopefully return to work there someday. What a tremendous opportunity and such an achievement. You have to be very proud. </p>
<p>Happy b-day to McH! I think everyone is allowed a tumble off the diet wagon. You’re doing great. I’m still trying to think of what to make for Easter dinner. It’s something I really don’t want to do, but it’s one of those things I feel I have to. I’d much rather it be a meal I really enjoy preparing rather than a traditional meal. Suggestions are welcome!</p>
What an honor for her and such an opportunity. Thanks so much for sharing the great news with us.</p>